Bid scoring device for contract and auction bridge



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ATTORNEY Nov. 21, 1939.

BID SCORING DEVICE FOR CONTRACT AND AUCTION BRIDGE my. a

NO TRUMP I50 HONORSI Filed Nov, 15, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 my. 4 my, 5 7: 7

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INVENTOR BY l I ATTORNEY a 15 The rules of the game as generally understood 'Fig; 17 is a vertical sectionkon 'broken line.

'PatentedNov. 21,1939r UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,"

BID SCORING DEVICE FoR (lONTRAGT AUCTION BRIDGE Wayne B. HilLRedondo Beach, Wash. Q Application November 15, 1937, Serial No ."174 50 8 Claims. 01. 273 -148) This invention relates to a bid scoring device Figure l is a plan viewof a bid scoring device which is particularly adapted for use in conembodying this invention; nection with playing contract or auction bridge, Fig. 2 is a vertical section on a larger scale so that a game may be played which may be than Fig'.' l, on broken line 22 of Figure 1; termed quiet bridge.

Heretofore in the playing of bridge audible embodying this invention; signals were used by each player in indicating Fig. 10 i a view of the bottom side of Fig. 9; their respective bids; Many-players commonly Figs. 11 to 14, inclusive, are plan views of in indicating verbally their respective bids would markers embodying this invention; indicate. with or without emphasis the character Fig. 15 is' a view of the bottom side of Fig. 14; 10

of the bid. In other words, at times players 'Fig. 16 is a fragmentary perspective view on a would by their tone of voice indicate a weak, larger scale than Fig. l, with the scoring pad parordinary or strong pass and likewise similar tially broken away, showing means for detachweak, ordinary or strong suit bids or assists. "ably connecting the same to the board; 'and' do not contemplate such bidding and by many |1l| of Fig. 6. I I the practice is considered nothing more or less A board 20 is formed of any suitable and somethan cheating. what-rigid material, such as acardboard. Pref- When a game becomes popular, many people erably the'board 20 is'of a size to fit upon a usual 20. participate therein, not from an interest in the card table.' The board may be divided at the game, but from the desire of association. 'In middle and ahinge 2l providedfor obvious reaother words, many people sit in and "hold up sons. Y a

a hand at bridge merely to do what is generally Y Preferably in front of each player, indicated considered as the thing to" do. With such by the conventional "symbols N, E, S and W, a

people participating, ofttimes disconcerting conbidding, zone i provided compris'inga plurality 25 versations occur. In fact, at most bridge parties of depressions 22 to. 32, each provided with inthe game is often interrupted and the attention diciathereon, where depression 22 bears 1; of the players distracted by general conversation, '23 bears "2; 24 bears 3; 25 bears 4; 26 which is often merely gossip. bears 5; 21 bears 6'little slam; 28 bears "7 30 It is an object of this invention'to provide a grand slam and the four depressions. 29 to 32 30 novel bid scoring device which will be simple, each bear Original bid. Therfour depressions but which at the same time will be sufficiently bearing "Original'bid. have been found sufficient interesting so as to permit elimination of unfor practical purposes to indicate: the original desirable, irritating,- and disconcerting talking bids which a player may make; 1

while the hands are'being played.

It'is an object of the invention to provide a vided a marker storage zone comprising a pludevice' which may be used by the players and rality of depressions 33 to 44, inclusive, each which will at all times visibly indicate the conprovided with indicia thereon-where depression dition of the bidding so as to eliminate any 33tbears.Pass; 34 and 35 bearthe symbol'of legitimate reason for conversation. spades; 36 and 3! bear the symbol of hearts; 40

It is a further object to provide a bid scoring 38 and 39 bear the symbol of. diamonds; 40 .and device which will be readily understood and 4| bear the symbol of clubs; 42 and .43 bear Noeasily used, but which will at the same time be trump; and 44 bears "Double and redouble. interesting, colorful and fully informative as to a Preferably between, adjacent players is pro- Figs-3 to 9, inclusive, are plan views of markers 5' Preferably to the side" of each player is pr 35 g 5 the condition of the bidding. vided'a further'jmarker storage zone compris- 45,

It is a further objectto provide means which ing depressions 45 to 41, inclusive, each of which will permit playing of a card'game which may has indicia thereon,wheredepression 45 bears be termed quiet bridge. Stop; 46 bears 100 honors; and 4'! bears 150 The above mentioned general objects of this honors. invention, together with others inherent in the A contract zone comprising depressions 48 to 50 same, areattained by the device illustrated in 51, inclusive, is suitably situated such as between the following drawings, the same being preferred two adjacent players. Depression. 48 bears exemplaryforms of embodiment of this inven- Honors; 49 bears 1; 50 bears 2; 5| bears tion, throughout which drawings like reference 3; 52 bears 4; 53 bears "5; 54 bears 6 little 55 numerals indicate like parts2 V slam?,'. 55 bears? grand s1am,;and Stand 51 56 each bear "Double and redouble. This contract zone permits the individual players to clear their respective bidding zones after a contract has been established.

A scoring pad 58 is suitably attached to the board 28 and may be positioned on the corner of the board 20 diagonally from the Contract zone. Preferably the board 20 is provided with a slot 59 into which tab 60, carried by score pad 58, is inserted (see Fig. 16). The score pad 58 is provided with a suitable number of pairs of columns, such a three. Each pair comprises two columns with the conventional "We or They above a column.

Above the columns on the score pad .58 is provided the depressions 6| bearing Not vul. over each We or They column. The size of the depressions 6! is such that two markers, such as shown in Figs. 14 and 15, may be inserted therein.

The markers 62 shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings bear the indicia Pass thereon and are preferably stored within the depressions ,33, which likewise bear the indicia Pass thereon. The markers 63 shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings bear the symbol of spades thereon and are preferably stored within the depressions 34 and 35. The markers shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings erably stored within the depressions .36 and 37. The markers 65 shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings bear the symbol of diamonds thereon and are preferably stored within the depressions 38 and 39. The markers 66 shown in Fig. 7 of the drawings bear the symbol of clubs thereon and are drawings bear the indicia Stop thereon and are preferably stored within the depressions 45. The markers 69; one face of which is shown in Fig. 9, and the other face in Fig. 10, of the drawings, bear .the indicias Double. and Redouble thereon and are preferably stored within the depressions 44. The markers H3 shown in Fig. 12 of the drawings bear the indicia 100 honors thereon, and are preferably stored within the depressions 46. The markers H shown in Fig. 13 of the drawings bear the indicia 150 honors thereon and are preferably stored within the depressions 41. The markers 12, one face of which is shown in Fig. 14, and the other face in Fig. 15 of the drawings, bear the indicia V 1.11. and Not vul. thereon, and are of a size to be received within the depressions 6|.

To'minirnize the number of markers and the storage depressions to receive the same reversible markers, 59 and 12 have been employed, i. e., Double is on one face of markers 69 and Redouble is on the other face also Vul. is found on one face of the markers 12 and Not vul. is found on the other face. Likewise other reversible markers may be used where desirable.

The various markers 62 to 12, shown in Figs. 3 to 15, inclusive, are shown as square in plan. While such shape is suitable and practical, this invention is not to be limited to any such specific application. Furthermore, the various zones are shown as provided with depressions of a similar shape, which again are to be construed as merely one embodiment of this invention and not a limitation of the same.

In using the bid scoring device, the parts of which have been previously set forth, one mode of operation for contract bridge may be described as follows: First each player is given duplicate markers 63 to 61, inclusive, and single markers 62 and 69. Two adjacent players are provided with single markers 68, H1 and II. The player adjacent the scoring pad 58, who is keeping score, is provided with duplicate markers 12.

The depressions 33 to 41, inclusive, are provided as a suitable place for theplayers to segregate their markers and serve as a storage zone. In other words, each player will deposit his marker 62 bearing the indicia Pass in depression as; duplicate markers 63 bearing the symbol of spades in depressions 34 and 35; duplicate markers 64 bearing the symbol of hearts in depressions 36 and 31; duplicate markers 65 bearing the symbol of diamonds in-depressions 38 and 39; duplicate markers 66 bearing the symbol of clubs in depressions 40 and 4|; duplicate markers 67- bearing .No trump in the depressions 42 and 43; and marker 69 bearing Double and Redouble in depression 44. Ad jacent players will deposit markers 68, 1B] and H bearing Stop, 100 honors and 150 honors in the depressions 45 to 41, inclusive.

The score keeper will place the two markers 12 alongside of eachother in the depression 6! so the Not vul. indicia is exposed (when appropriate), indicating that neither side is vulnerable. The score keeper will turn either mark over when either side becomes vulnerable.

At the beginning of the game a penalty for unauthorized talking during the playing of the hand is agreed upon, such as (fifty) points bonus for the unoffending side.

After the cards are dealt, each player inspects his hand and signifies his bid by placing one of the markers 62 to 61, in'c., with which he has been provided, in the bidding zone comprising depressions 22 to 32, inclusive. For example, as-

suming that N'is the dealer, if his first bid is one club he will insert one of the club markers 68 in the depression 22 and insert the other club marker'fifi in the depression 29, indicating that this one club bid is an original bid. If N player desires to pass or to make any bid from 1 to '7 .hewill place the appropriate marker, of the markers 62 to 61, inclusive, according to the bid, in-the appropriate depression 22 to 2B, inclusive, of his bidding zone.

If the bid is otherthan pass, he will always place the other appropriate marker in the depression 29, indicating that he is making an original bid, and if the same is no trump. or the suit thereof. In the event that player N desires to pass he places a marker 62 in the depression 22 of his bidding zone.

In the event that the player E desires to pass, he places a marker 62 in the depression 22 of his bidding zone. In the event that said player E desires to make any bid from 1 to '7, he will place "the appropriate marker of the markers 63 to 6T, inclusive, according to bid, whether no trump or the suit thereof, in the appropriate depression 22 to 28, inclusive of his bidding zone, always placing the other appropriate marker in the depression 29, indicating that he is making an original bid and whether no trump or the suit thereof. For example, if E player desires to bid one diamond, he will place oneof his markers 65 in the depression 22 and the other in the depression 29 of his bidding zone, thus indicating that his original bid is a one diamond bid.

In the event that the player S desires to raise his partner to two clubs, hewill take only one of his markers 66 and'place the. same in the, depression 23 of hisrbidding zone, indicating that he is raising the bid to 2, but not making an original bid. If, however, player S desires to'make an original bid, such as one heart, he will take one of his markers 64 and place the same in the depression 22 and the other in the depression 29 of his bidding zone, indicating that he is making an original one heart bid. In the event that the player S desires to pass he will place the marker 62 in the depression 22.

' In the event the player Wf desires to raise his partner E to 2 diamonds, he will place one of his markers 65 in the depression 23 of his bidding zone. If, however, he desires to make an original bid, hewill place one of the appropriate markers in the depression 29, indicating that he is making an original bid and the other appropriate marker in one of the depressions 22 to 28, inclusive, indicating the value or number of said bid. If said player W desires to pass he will place the marker 62 in the depression 23 of his bidding zone, indicating a pass.

If the player N desires to make another original bid, such as spades, he will place one of the markers 63 in the depression 38 and the other marker 63 in the appropriate depression 22 to 28, inclusive, of his bidding zone, indicating the value or number of his spade bid. The players will then continue with their bids, whether they be a pass, an original bid in a new suit, a raise bid in a partners suit, a double, or a redouble until three successive passes are encountered, which will, according to the rules of contract bridge, close the bidding. i

After the contract is established'the player obtaining the contract will place one of his markers 62 to 61, inclusive, in the appropriate depression 49 to 55, inclusive, of the contract zone, indicating the value and suit or no trump of the contract established. For example, a heart in the depression 52 will indicate that the contract is four hearts. If the contract has been doubled, the player doubling will remove his marker 69 from a depression 22 to 28 and place the same in one of the depressions 56 or 51 of the contract zone with the indicia reading Double visible. If the contract has been redoubled, the player redoubling the same will place his marker 69 inthe other depression 56 or 5'! with the indicia reading Redouble visible. Some players in playing contract bridge claim their honors at the time the contract is established. If this procedure is followed, then the player having the contract will claim his honors by placing either the marker 43 or 41 reading respectively honors and honors in the depression 38 reading Honors of the contract zone. Some players in playing contract bridge claim their honors after the hand is played and the player claiming his honors will, under such rules, delay claiming the honors until the appropriate time. After the contract is established the hand is played in accordance with the rules of contract bridge, except with the elimination of talking.

It has been found desirable in playing contract bridge with the use of the bid scoring device of this invention to prohibittalking from the time the cards are dealt until after the last play of each hand. Some penalty is provided, such as 50 points premium to the unoffending side for any talking occurring during this silence period. Should it be necessary to interrupt the silence period, so that talking is not prohibited, any

player may remove the marker68 from itsdepression 45 and placethe same on the table. This will interrupt the silence period and the player may, during this interruption period, call attention to any violation of the rules, such as talking, revoke or any other error. The player calling the interruption period explains his reasons for this action and as soon as the error in question is settled, the marker 68 is returned to the depression 45 and the game proceeds.

After the hand is played, the score keeper writesdownthe score on thescore pad 58 and if the score is sufiicient to make either side vulnerable the marker "E2 in the depressions 6! is turned over so that at the head of the appropriate side or the column the score will indicate that the side is vulnerable.

Bythe use of this bid scoring device, it is obvious that at all times during the bidding the condition of the bidding is visibly indicated; In

other words, the device will indicate the bid of each party, indicatewhether the bid is an original bid, or an assist bid, whethereither side is vulnerable, or not vulnerable, and whether any bid has been doubled or redoubled. As soon as the bidding has been completed and the hand is ready to be played, the bidding zone of each party may be cleared and the markers returned to the marker storage depressions, with the exception that the appropriate markers are placed in the contract zone to indicate the value of the contract, and whether the bid has been doubled and possibly redoubled. The value of the contract, as indicated by the contract zone, will be maintained until after the hand has been played. The

honors claimed by the parties playing the hand will be indicated before or after the hand is played in accordance with the rules adopted by the particular players involved. With such informative condition of the binding always visibly indicated to the players, there is nolegitimate need for talking while the hand is being played, and the undesirable irritating and disconcerting talking, which was hereto-fore encountered, may be positively eliminated. Talking may be prohibited during each hand from the time the cards are dealt until the last card is played, or if desired, talking may be completely eliminated from the start of the game until the final card is played for that particular session.

In the event that the parties desire to play auction bridge and use the bid scoring device of this invention, the above rules may be readily adapted to the game, with the following exceptions: The markers 12, indicating vulnerable and not-vulnerable will obviously not be needed. Also the depressions 46 and 41, wherein the markers H! and H are stored, indicating respectively 100 and 150 honors, will have to be changed to provide the proper number of markers and storage depressions to permit scoring the honors. In the event that the talking is allowed between hands, further honor markers will not be needed, as the honors can then be declared to the score keeper.

Obviously, changes may be made in the forms, dimensions and arrangement of the parts of my invention, without departing from the principle thereof, the above setting forth only preferred forms of embodiment.

I claim:

1. In a device of the class described, a board arranged for card playing in the central portion thereof and provided with a bidding zone in each marginal portion thereof adjacent each player, said bidding zone comprising a plurality of de- 2. In a device of the class described, a board arranged for card playing in the central portion thereof and provided with a bidding zone in each marginal portion thereof adjacent each player, said bidding zone comprising a plurality of depressions of a size to receive therein markers in the form of relatively thin solids and said depressions bearing indicia indicating bids from one to seven; a plurality of markers in the form of relatively thin solids and each of which markers is adapted to be placed within one of said depressions of the bidding zone, said markers bearing indicia indicating respectively spades, hearts, diamonds, clubs and no trump; and diagonally positioned marker storage zones for joint use by adjacent players comprising a plurality of depressions bearing indicia indicating respectively spades, hearts, diamonds, clubs, no trump, and stop, said depressions being of a size to receive therein said markers: for segregation and storage.

3. In a device of the class described, a board arranged for card playing in the central portion thereof and provided with a bidding zone in each marginal portion thereof adjacent each player, said bidding'zone comprising a plurality of depressions of a size to receive therein markers in the form of relatively thin solids and said depressions bearing indicia. indicating bids from one to seven; and a plurality of markers in the form of relatively thin solids and each of which markers is adapted to be placed within one of said depressions of the bidding zone, said markers bearing indicia indicating respectively spades, hearts,

iamonds, clubs, no trump and stop, which stop marker may be used by the players when play is to be interrupted.

4. In a device of the class described, a board arranged for card playing in the central portion thereof and provided witha bidding zone in each marginal portion thereof adjacent each player, said bidding zone comprising a plurality of depressions of a size to receive therein markers in the form of relatively thin solids and said depressions bearing indicia indicating bids from one to seven and indicating a plurality of original bids; and a plurality of markers in the form of relatively thin solids and each of which markers is adapted to be placed within one of said depressions of the bidding zone, said markers bearing indicia indicating respectively spades, hearts, diamonds, clubs and no trump.

5. In a device of the class described, a board arranged for card playing in the central portion thereof and provided with a bidding zone in each marginal portion thereof adjacent each player for indicating all bids and the sequence thereof; and a contract zone for indicating the final contract obtaining in the bidding, said contract zone comprising a plurality of depressions of a size to receive markers in the form of relatively thin solids, said depressions bearing indicia indicating respectively one to seven inclusive, double and redouble.

WAYNE B. HILL. 

